Table 1 Mouse models for laminin α2 chain deficiency.

dy/dy

Unknown spontaneous mutation/reduced expression of seemingly normal α2 chain

Lethal within 6 months of age. Moderate muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy; defective central nervous system myelination; hearing loss; aberrant thymocyte development

[11, 12, 84, 121, 122]

dy^2J/dy^2J

Spontaneous mutation in LN domain^a/slightly reduced expression of truncated α2 chain devoid of LN domain

Normal lifespan. Mild muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy

[85, 86]

dy^W/dy^W

Knock- out/severely reduced expression of truncated α2 chain devoid of LN domain

Lethal at 10 to 15 weeks of age. Severe muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy

[43, 83]

dy^3K/dy^3K

Knock-out/complete deficiency

Lethal at 4 weeks of age. Severe muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy; impaired spermatogenesis; defective odontoblast differentiation

[42, 123–125]

dy^nmj417/dy^nmf417

N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced point mutation in LN domain/normal levels

Normal lifespan. Mild muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy

[87]

dy^Pas/dy^Pas(now extinct)

Spontaneous retrotransposal insertion/severe deficiency

Died at 13 weeks of age. Severe muscular dystrophy; peripheral neuropathy

[126]